Abstract: An apparatus (10) for determining the viability of an egg, which apparatus (10) comprises shielding means (12, 14), emitting means (30) and detecting means (32), the arrangement being such that, in use, the shielding means (12, 14) inhibits exposure of an egg to background infra-red radiation, said emitting means (30) can emit electromagnetic radiation at infra-red wavelength(s) to impinge on the egg, and the detecting means (32) are positioned to detect at least a part of said electromagnetic radiation that has passed through the egg, the apparatus further comprising means for processing an output signal of the detecting means to determine whether there is a cyclical variation in the intensity of the infra-red radiation leaving the egg corresponding to action of a heart, the existence of said cyclical variation indicating that the egg is viable.

Abstract: Determining the viability of an egg by: (a) causing electromagnetic radiation, having one or more wavelengths in the infra-red part of the spectrum, to impinge upon the egg; (b) receiving at least a part of the infra-red radiation that has passed through the egg and generating an output signal representative of the received infra-red radiation; and (c) processing said output signal to determine whether there is a cyclical variation in the intensity of the infra-red radiation leaving the egg corresponding to action of a heart, the existence of said cyclical variation indicating that the egg is viable; wherein step (a) is performed by directing infra-red radiation so that it passes through the shell for reflection from an outer surface of a vascular structure adjacent an inner surface of said shell, and step (b) is performed by receiving any infra-red radiation so reflected.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for determining the viability of an egg, which apparatus (10) comprises shielding means (12, 14), emitting means (30) and detecting means (32), the arrangement being such that, in use, the shielding means (12, 14) inhibits exposure of an egg to background infra-red radiation, said emitting means (30) can emit electromagnetic radiation at infra-red wavelength(s) to impinge on the egg, and the detecting means (32) are positioned to detect at least a part of said electromagnetic radiation that has passed through the egg, the apparatus further comprising means for processing an output signal of the detecting means to determine whether there is a cyclical variation in the intensity of the infra-red radiation leaving the egg corresponding to action of a heart, the existence of said cyclical variation indicating that the egg is viable.